Benvenuto Cellini, the 7/4 favorite, secured victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh on Sunday, providing trainer Aidan O’Brien with his 18th win in the prestigious classic. Ridden by Ryan Moore, the colt finished one-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of the runner-up, Christmas Day, while Pierre Bonnard completed a clean sweep of the podium for the Coolmore ownership group.
The victory marks a significant turnaround for Benvenuto Cellini, who had been withdrawn as a non-runner from the Betfred Epsom Derby earlier this month. The result underscored the dominance of the Ballydoyle operation, which was responsible for four of the eight horses in the field.
A Strategic 1-2-3 Finish
The race saw a tactical performance from the Coolmore-owned contingent. Christmas Day, ridden by Ronan Whelan, crossed the line in second place, repeating his performance from the English classic. Pierre Bonnard, with Wayne Lordan in the saddle, finished a neck behind the runner-up to secure third place.
The success highlights the depth of the stable’s current three-year-old crop. By filling the top three positions, the team demonstrated a commanding presence in one of Europe’s most competitive middle-distance races for thoroughbreds. The race, held at The Curragh, is widely regarded as a pivotal test for top-tier colts.
”If there was any weakness in his armour, it was going to be exposed.”
The master of @Ballydoyle reveals he was by no means convinced that Benvenuto Cellini had a Derby-winning performance in him after what happened at Epsom. pic.twitter.com/qobUubcqMs— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 28, 2026
Reflections on the Epsom Withdrawal
Following the race, Aidan O’Brien addressed the uncertainty surrounding the winner’s form leading up to the event. The decision to pull Benvenuto Cellini from the Epsom Derby had left questions about the horse’s readiness for a high-intensity classic distance. O’Brien noted that the team had concerns about whether the colt was prepared to deliver a winning performance after the events of early June.
The trainer’s comments reflect the high stakes involved in preparing horses for the classic schedule. Winning at The Curragh provides a degree of validation for the team’s patience and training adjustments following the setback at Epsom. The result confirms the colt’s capability at the mile-and-a-half distance, silencing doubts that emerged earlier in the month.
Looking Ahead in the Racing Calendar
For the connections of Benvenuto Cellini, the Irish Derby win provides a clear path forward for the remainder of the season. As the racing community turns its attention to upcoming autumn fixtures, the performance of the top three finishers will likely influence betting markets and race entries for major European group one races.
Fans and analysts will be monitoring official updates from the trainer regarding the horse’s recovery and the next scheduled appearance. While no official date for the next race has been set, the victory at The Curragh establishes the winner as a leading contender for subsequent seasonal highlights. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on the performance and follow our sports desk for updates on the next major racing meetings.